‘He could accuse you of stealing,’ said Rose, a bit louder now. ‘And he wouldn’t be far wrong!’
‘What would you like me to do, Mary?’ Hattie repeated.
Mary didn’t answer. ‘I wouldn’t want you to do anything that could get you into trouble…’
‘But?’
‘Yes, I would like that. If I can go to the home I chose I’ll be able to have a few of my own things around me. The rooms there are a great deal bigger – I could have a bedroom and a sitting room. It would mean a lot to me to have my familiar things.’
‘Right,’ said Hattie. ‘I’m going to go round the house with my phone, Mary, and you tell me which items of furniture you want to keep. Then we’ll come back with a removal van.’
‘And I’ll stick on a Post-it note as we go,’ said Rose, producing a pad of them from her bag.
‘Why have you got Post-its in your bag?’ asked Hattie.
Rose shrugged. ‘It’s who I am.’
It seemed to take ages to go through the house, letting Mary look at every piece, including ornaments,and make up her mind if she wanted it or not. But at last they were done. They left the cottage through the French doors and then Hattie tried to close the broken door behind them.
‘I think I will ask Luke to sort this out when he’s back,’ she said to Rose, trying to return a bit of wood to its former home with mixed results.
‘How long is he away for?’
‘I’m not sure,’ said Hattie. ‘Clive might be back before he is. We just have to hope he doesn’t notice the house has been broken into.’
‘But aren’t you hoping to get all of Mary’s furniture out before then?’
Hattie sighed. ‘You’re right. A broken door panel won’t really matter then, will it? But I want to make it safe from burglars.’
Rose laughed. ‘Honey, if we broke in that easily, a professional burglar would have no problem.’
Hattie paused in her gentle hammering. ‘So I shouldn’t bother with this?’
‘You’re not making much impression.’
‘I don’t want to risk breaking the glass.’
In the end they left it so the door stayed shut, aided by a large stone propped against it. It was by no means secure but it was the best they could do.
As they drove away, Rose asked, ‘Won’t it be difficult to get removers in before Clive’s back? Aren’t they booked up months ahead?’
‘Usually they are,’ said Hattie, ‘but I’m the house-moving fairy. I can get one when I need one.’ She paused. ‘Mostly because I’ve got a friend with a horse box who’ll do it very cheaply.’
Rose laughed. ‘I must confess to feeling very nervous in there. I thought Clive was going to arrive any minute.’
‘I was nervous too. Although I don’t know why. He made me homeless in a way that I’m sure is completely illegal.’
‘How sure are you?’ asked Rose.
‘I’m sure he shouldn’t have whisked Mary away like that, leaving her medication behind. Or cut me off from my possessions. I pay rent. That must afford me some protection. I’ll look it up when I’ve got a minute. Now, I’d like to get Mary’s things down to her immediately. Where would you like to be dropped off? At home or at the shop?’
‘Neither! Let’s have a road trip. I’ll come to Mary’s with you.’
‘I’d love that!’ Hattie said. ‘And Mary would be delighted to see you.’
On the way home, after a very enjoyable visit with Mary and a late lunch in a pub garden, Rose said, ‘Of course, normally you’d be welcome to stay with us as long as you like but Sam’s mother is coming.’ Rose frowned. ‘Could I use you as an excuse so she can’t come?’
‘No. And it’s OK, I’m going to move back to the lodge. It’s perfect for one, though not for the long term when Xander comes back.’
